Relay switch



M. A. RUDD RELAY SWITCH March 18, 1952 Filed Aug. 29, 1945 2SI-[EETS-SI-IEET l a'b pd e'f g'h ij k l m'n p INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY 1 ,b F a March 18, 1952 RUDD 2,589,868

RELAY SWITCH Filed Au 29, 1945 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Fig.3

92 INVENTOR. 88 B :21 9 BY F M W 096% wig/5m ATTORNEY.

Patented Mar. 18, 1952 RELAY SWITCH Maurice A. Rudd, North Plainfield,N. J assignor to Bendix Aviation Corporation, New York, N. Y., acorporation of Beiaware Application August 29, 1945, Serial No. 613,317

8 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a switch mechanism and is related to thedisclosures of my Patent No. 2,501,410 and my co-pending applicationSerial No. 613,318, filed August 29, 1945.

In the electrical industry and particularly in connection with theignition systems of multicylinder engines, great difliculty has beenencoun tered because of the need of coordinating a plurality of circuitswhich must be simultaneously or alternately energized. The dimculty ofcontrolling such circuits increases as the number of circuits increasesand this difficulty is further enlarged when the circuits are to beemployed in several combinations which must be coordinated with eachother. The problem becomes even more complex when remote control must beemployed. Those complexities, which are largely electrical, are furthercomplicated when it is considered that the parts must be electricallyshielded, compressed within a minimum of space, and frequently made oflight materials. In addition, when such complexity is involved thetesting of particular circuits is rendered most difficult, and yetbecomes increasingly important because of the complexity. Furthermore,it is frequently desirable to impose upon the normal circuits or some ofthem additional current from a, separate source. The contemplation ofthese manifold and intricate needs and the creation of aninstrumentality adapted to perform them may be regarded as almostinfinitely difficult.

It is an object of this invention to provide connection betweenconductors embodying a switch having plurality of contacts, tocoordinate the operation of that switch with the operations of a likeswitch, to operate the switches by remote control, to operate them in anumber of coordinated combinations, to mount switches and operatingmeans in a light and strong casing, to separate the switch and theoperating means both electrically and physically, to provide for testinthe circuits, to provide for the imposition of additional current uponthe norma] currents which pass through the apparatus, and to do all thatwith economy of material, simplicity of construction, and facility ofoperation.

The particular embodiment of the invention which has been selected forpurposes of description is adapted to employment in connection with aradial engine having a plurality of cylinders in each row but it is tobe understood that this particular description is adopted only forpurposes of illustration and that this invention in one of its broadphases may be considered as a means of making a connection between aplurality of conductors.

The above and further objects and novel features of the invention willmore fully appear from the following detailed description when the sameis read in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to beexpressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose ofillustration only and are not intended as a definition of the limits ofthe invention, reference for this latter purpose being had primarily tothe appended claims.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to like partsthroughout the several views,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of an apparatus constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the invention embodying a plurality of switches one ofwhich is engaged, the other of which is disengaged. This figure islargely diagrammatical in character and may be considered as having beentaken from the right hand side of Fig. 3 with the cover removed;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic showing of the mechanism visible from the lefthand end of Fig. 3 with the cover removed;

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a detail in plan of an armature mounted upon its pintle;

Fig. 5 is a side view of the construction shown in Fig. 4; and

Fig. 6 is a section through one of the coils adapted to cooperate withthe armature of Fig. 4.

Referrin now to the numerals of the drawings, iii indicates generally acasing of annular shape having a plate I I from one face of whichprojects the annular side or wall 12 and from the other face of whichprojects the annular side or wall [3. Th wall !2 has a broad roundededge It that is shown in Fig. 3 to be concave. That concave curvature isadapted to cooperate with a cover [5 that is provided with an exteriorannular flange it which engages over and conforms to the sides of wallI2 as shown in Fig. 3, and with an inner annular ridge I! having a sharpedge adapted to make line contact with the curved surfaces of the groovel4. The edge of the wall l2 may be convexly rather than concavely curvedif desired, but with convex construction it is usually necessary tolengthen the flange l6 in order to secure proper overlappin with theWall l2.

A stud I8 is mounted in the plate H, for instance by a force fit of suchcharacter that the wall H is sealed by the stud. The end is of the studis screw'threaded for the reception of the threaded end of a screw 2%which is screwed through the threads in the cover I5. The tight ening ofthe screw 29 will force the ridge H into sealing engagement with thewall i2, and the length of stud l3 will prevent great distortion,weakening, or breaking of the cover plate ie by the application ofexcessive pressure.

The portion 12 of the casing is provided, as most clearly shown inFig.1, with three outlets 21, 23, 29, which are adapted to receivemultiple connectors of the pin or socket type mounted in rubber inserts.The pins or sockets, as the case may be, may be connected by appropriateconductors with a plurality of switch contacts that will be describedhereinafter. In Fig. 1 it has been difiicult to show those connectionsby direct representation so they have been diagrammatically indicatedand will be described in detail hereinbelow. v

The portion it? of the casin is annular and is provided with a fiat edge22 upon which a cover 9 member 28, comprised of an outer metal layer 24and an inner dielectric layer 25, may beattached as by means of screws26. The dieletric layer may extend over the whole surface of the cover,or may be a mere gasket between the abutblocks 32, 33 that carry aplurality of spring switch contacts 34, 35 having ends bent into thepath of motion of movable contacts 50 and 4!. The contacts 3 3, 35 havebody portions held between plates 33 and terminals 39, the forme ofwhich projects-beyond the elements 32, 33 to support the downturned endsof the springs 34, 35 and the latter of which have upturned ends 39'adapted to receive the sold-er connection or" the leads.

The switch contacts 35, seven in number as shown, are connected by leadsa, c, c, g, i, It, m to similarly lettered pins or sockets in the insertof outlet 29. Similarly the seven switch contacts 34 are connected toleads I), d, f, i2, Z, n to pins or sockets in the insert of outlet 21.In addition, there are provided connections a, 0, etc., from the insertof outlet 29 to pins or sockets in the insert of outlet 2?, andconnections I), d, etc., from the insert of outlet 21 to those of outlet29 so that either outlet 29 or 2'! may be used to connect all the switchcircuits to operating mechanism, the other outlet being available forthe testing of each individual circuit. The test insert has oneterminal, p, connected to ground.

In addition three terminals of plug or socket type, preferably, aremounted in a resilient insert in inlet 28, through which booster currentmay be supplied to certain of the circuits. These terminals arediagrammatically shown at :c, 'y,

. or the like.

and z in Fig. l, and are connected to terminals b, d", and 12.,respectively, serving to furnish current to those circuits through threeof the switch contacts 3:3. 7

Associated with the fixed contacts are two gangs or sets of movablecontacts generally indicated by numerals it and H, the description ofone gang of which will serve for both, because they are preferably ofsimilar structure. The contacts 48 are shown as integral fingers or"metal projecting from a plate 52 rigidly attached, as by rivets 53, to asupporting member 44 of dielectric material which i clamped betweenmetal plates 45 and d5 by means of rivets The metal plates 55, 35 arenot in contact with the plate 62, but are separated therefrom, beingsupported by the dielectric material of supporting member M, as shown inFig. l.

The plates 45, 6'6 are mounted as by nut 53 on the square and screwthreaded end of pintle 5!,

which is mounted for pivoting in bearing 52 in plate ii. This bearinghas a firm and sealing mounting with respect to the plate, and a veryclose fit about the shaft or" the pintle, so that the chambers of thecasing are shielded and sealed from each other, the film of lubricantnormally used to oil the pintle being sufficient to provide sealing ofsubstantially perfect character between pintle and bearing.

Toward its other en the pintle has an oiiset and flattened section 53 inWhich is mounted the double ended armature 54 to the end of which areattached curved channel members tit-designed to fit Within grooves suchas shown at 58 in Fig. 6, in the ends of the coils 56, 57. The channelmembers may be solid, curved blocks if desired. The pintle ends aresteadied by contact with pins 59 mounted in the bar 68, which isfastened at its ends by bolts 6! to the casing. A. metal finger 6!projects from the body of each armature and has a curveddielectric end62 projecting between the contacts of the associated relay adapted tooperate the relay as explained hereinafter.

By the description up to this point, it will be perceived that therehave been provided switch members and operating means therefor mountedin sealed chambers separated from each other'by a wall which issubstantially imperforate except at the points through which the mountinpintles pass, and that those points are so constructed that bothphysical and electrical separation of the parts is secured. Thus, it ispossible to separate the operating means from the switches themelves sothat neither will be harmfully affected by the operation of the other.To bring about the functioning of the switches by remote control, relaysare provided comprising coils, armatures, and switches. preferablyconstructed is best shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 6. With respect to Fig. 2 itis pointed out that the showing is diagrammatic in order that thecircuits may be made clear, a practical mounting of the parts beingindicated in Fig. 3.

In Fig. 6 is shown a coil that is indicated generally by the numeral 65and is composed of a winding 66. The ends of the coil are shielded bysuitable annuli t9 and the base of the coil is closed by member itthrough which the leads H, '12 are brought out. The core 6'! is providedwith a screw threaded hole '53 for the reception of a screw or boltmounting member 7A" which is adapted to mount the coil firmly on theside elements of easing section l3, which are preferably fiat at themounting position. I r

The novel operating means is made to function This structure as i Fig. 2and in section in Fig. 3.

by the alternate energization of coils 56 and 51, the energizing ofwhich is carried out through switch 18 shown diagrammatically in plan inThe switch 18 as shown in Fig. 2 has three contacts, short inner contact1| and longer outer contacts 12 and 13 all of which are made of sprinmetal having high electrical conductivity. The prong 62 on the end ofthe finger 61 projects between the ends of contacts 12 and 13; thefinger is of such relation by length to the throw of the armature 54that the motion of the armature in one direction disengages the one pairof contacts and permits the others to close, and by motion in the otherdirection reverses the closed and open positions of the respectivecontacts.

The contacts of the switch are spring biased so that in the absence ofthe prong 62 both would engage the contact 11. A pivoted lever 75 havinga double faced cam 16 at its end is pivotally mounted on a suitable post11 and 1s thrust by the spring 18 into contact with the lower edge ofthe armature as shown in Fig. 2. The strength of the spring 18 and theangle of the cam I6 is great enough to overcome the force of the spring12 but not great enough to overcome the attraction of the coil for thearmature, so that the energizing of the coil is sufficient to throw theswitch and displace the arm 15, but when once thrown, the strength ofthe springs 12 or I3 is not great enough to displace the armature eventhough the coil is no longer energized.

As shown. the novel operating means has two relays which are marked Land R in Fig. 1, and it is a part of this invention to energize therelays so that they may be coordinated in their functioning. A simplecoordination is disclosed in this specification and a more complexsystem of coordination is disclosed in my said patent I and copendingapplication. This invention is thus shown to be adapted for use withdifferent systems of varying complexity.

The battery B is shown to be connected at its negative side to groundand at its positive side to a lead 88 from which conductors 8!, 82, 83are connected to terminals 84, 65 and 86, 85 and 86 being terminals ofswitches 8 88, respectively. Additional switch terminals 89 and 80 ofswitches 81 and 88, respectively, are connected to ground and theswitches themselves are connected by leads 9| and 92 to terminals 93,94, respectively, and through conductors 95, 98 to the intermediatecontacts of the respective switches. The three contacts of each relayare separated from each other by dielectric material as will beunderstood by persons skilled in the art. In Fig. 2 the battery is shownto be connected through switch 8! and contacts H and 13 to the windingof coil 56 and back through terminal 84 to a battery connection, so thatboth sides of coil 56 are connected to battery and the coil is notenergized. If now the switch 81 be thrown to engage contact 89 the coil56 will be connected through conductors 88, 8!, 97 to battery andthrough conductors 99, relay contacts H and I3, conductors 95 and 9! toground, completing the circuit and energizing the relay so that theupper end of the armature will be attracted, the force of the spring 18overcome, the contact between elements 12 and H made, and that betweencontacts H and 13 broken. When the said contact is broken the centerelement of the switch is connected to ground and the contact 72, whichis in engagement therewith, is connected through conductors I80, lfll toground so that the coil 51 is not energized. In this position the lowerend of the armature 54 will bear against the outer cam of the lever asshown in connection with the coils L, L of Fig. 2. Throwing the switch81 into engagement with terminal 85 will energize the coil 51. Thesystem is adapted to remote control, so that switch 81 may be located atany distance from the coils.

Coils L, L are similarly operated by means of switch 88.

The switches operating coils RR and LL may be coordinated for alternateoperation of the relays by connecting the elements 8! and 88 togethermechanically so that throwing the one will throw the other, but for manyuses it is preferred to leave them unconnected so that they can beenergized alternately or together by proper selection of contacts.Switches 81 and 88 may be appropriately labeled for the instruction ofthe operator.

When the armature 54 is in the position shown in Fig. 2, the contacts 34and 48 are in engagement as shown in Fig. 1. When the coil 56 isenergized the armature 54 is thrown and the switch elements 48 aredisengaged from contacts 34.

Fixed to the metal of the casing are brushes 185, I85 which are inengagement with the switch plates 42; thus, when the switch elements 48are engaged with the contacts 34, as shown in the upper half of Fig. 3,the electrical instrumentality which is connected to the switch 34 isconnected through the switch to whatever electrical instrumentality isin circuit with the casing.

In one particular use to which this invention is put, that of groundingengine magnetos, the fixed switch elements are connected with theprimary windings of magneto coils and the casing is connected to ground,and therefore the magneto coils will be grounded when the elements 34,48 and 35, 4| are engaged. The switch elements 34 and 35 may haveappropriate numbers or letters to assist electricians in making properconnections.

A particular use of this invention is in the system described in myPatent No. 2,501,410, the switches L (23) and R (63) of which maycorrespond in construction, operation and function to the switches L andR (Fig. 1) of this invention. It will therefore be seen that my saidpatent, the present application and my said co-pending applicationSerial No. 613,318 (SM-I86) constitute a complete disclosure of asimplified system for controlling the ignition of amulti-cylindermulti-row internal combustion engine, and of specificinstruments useful in that system.

The novel structure and combinations which have been set forthhereinabove provide a switch that is adapted to remote control, that hascomparatively few elements, and the elements of which are not complex,which is simple when considered in comparison to the prior art, whichprovides for the simultaneous operation of a plurality of electricalinstrumentalities, and for the coordination thereof in various systemsand diffrent combinations. It provides for the isolation of the switchelements from the elements that operate the switch and particularlyshields them from the radio circuits of the vicinity, both electricallyand mechanically. It provides for the testing of the instrumentalitiesduring the operation thereof, for the imposition of current from anoutside source upon certain of the circuits controlled thereby, duringoperation, and

it provides accessibility for inspection and replacement of particularparts or elements without interference with other operating parts.

Although only a single embodiment of the pres ent invention is hereinillustrated and described, it is to be expressly understood that thesame is not limited thereto. Various changes may be made therein,particularly in the design and arrangement of the parts illustratedwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as willnow be apparent to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:

l. A switch mechanism comprising a metallic plate, a pintle pivotallymounted in the plate and having its ends projecting beyond oppositeplane surfaces of said plate, a switch member adapted to be affixed toone end of the pintle for movement thereby in a path parallel to saidplane surfaces, an armature adapted to be afiixed i to the other end ofthe pintle and movable in a path parallel to said plane surfaces, andmeans to move the armature whereby to move said pintle and in turn throwthe switch member, said plate serving to mechanically and electricallyshield said switch member and said armature from each other.

2. A switch assembly comprising a plurality of electrically andmechanically separated chambers, a plurality of pintles having endsprojecting into said chambers, a plurality of switch members adapted tobe afiixed to the pintle ends in one chamber, each of said switchmembers comprising a dielectric support and a group of electricallyconjoined contacts carried thereby, a grounded brush contact adapted tomake contact with said group of conjoined contacts, a group ofelectrically separate contacts mounted in and insulated from said onechamber and adapted to be engaged by said conjoined contacts, means toengage and disengage said groups of contacts, a plurality of openings insaid chamber adapted to receive multiple connectors, means adapted toconnect one group of said separate contacts to one of said multipleconnectors, means to connect the other group of said separate contactsto the other of said multiple connectors, and means to electricallyinterconnect the multiple connectors whereby each of the separatecontacts of one group and contacts in said connectors are in series, andeach of the separate contacts of the other group and other contactsinsaid connectors are in series with said connectors in reversed order.

3. In apparatus of the classdescribed, a casing having a transverse walltherein, at least two rotatable pintles mounted in said wall, at leasttwo sets of electrically separate contacts insulated from said casing, agroup of conjoined contacts carried by each of said pintles for movementinto and out of engagement with said sets of separate contacts, a firstand a second multiple connector mounted in the walls of said casing,each having a number of contacts equal to the number of separatecontacts in both said sets, each separate contact of one set beingconnected in series with one contact in each of said connectors with thecontact or" said first connector being intermediate the others in seriestherewith, and each separate contact of the other set being connected inseries with one of the other contacts in each of said connectors withthe contact in said second connector intermediate the other two inseries therewith. V

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein there is provided a thirdmultiple connector mounted in the casing and having each of its contactsconnected in series with a different pair of series connected contactsin said first and second connectors.

5. In apparatus of the class described, a casing, at least two sets ofelectrically separate contacts insulated from said casing, a group ofelectrically conjoined contacts mounted in said casing for movement intoand out of engagement with said separate contacts, a first and a secondmultiple connector mounted in the wall of said casing, the terminals ofone connector being connected with the terminals of the other connectorin pairs, means connecting the separate contacts of one set to terminalsof selected pairs in one of said connectors, and means connecting theseparate contacts of the other set to terminals of the other pairs inthe other connector.

6. In apparatus of the class described, relay switch mechanismcomprising a pair of solenoid coils adapted to be alternately energized,a pivoted armature adapted to be oscillated by said coils, switch meanscomprising movable spring mounted contacts adapted to be alternatelyengaged and moved by said armature to a tensioned position, and a springpressed cam lever mounted independently of said switch means andarmature for yieldably holding the latter in its extreme end positionsagainst the tension of said spring mounted contacts.

7. A switch mechanism comprising a metallic casing having a cover ateach end, at least one of which is metallic, and a metallic partitionintermediate the ends thereof to form two chambers radio-shielded fromeach other, at least one pintle journalled in and supported by saidpartition and terminating in said chambers, an insulating arm carried byone end of said pintle in one of said chambers, a first contact carriedby said arm and grounded to said casing, a second contact mounted on andinsulated from said casing in said one chamber for engagement by saidfirst contact, and means in the other chamher for actuating said arm toengage and disengage said first and second contacts, said meansincluding a pair of solenoid coils adapted to be individually,alternately energized, an armature mounted on said pintle foroscillation by said coils when the same are alternately energized,switch means comprising a pair of separable contacts in circuit witheach of said coils and operable by said armature upon each actuationthereof to disengage the pair of contacts in circuit with the thenenergized coil to deenergize the same and to permit the engagement ofthe pair of contacts then in circuit with the other coil, saidarmature-controlled contacts being urged to engaged position by springmeans, and a spring pressed cam lever mounted independently of saidarmature for yieldably holding said armature in its terminal positionsagainst the pressure of said spring means.

8. In apparatus of the class described, relay switch mechanismcomprising a pair of solenoid coils adapted to be alternately energized,a pivoted armature adapted to be oscillated by said coils, switch meanscomprising a central contact and two spring mounted movable contactsadapted to engage opposite sides or" said cen tral contact, each of saidmovable contacts being connected to a different one of said coils, meanson the armature for actuating said movable contacts to move either onethereof out of engagement while permitting the other to move intoengagement with said central contact, the spring mount for each movablecontact being under tension when the contact is held out of engagementwith said central contact, and a spring pressed cam lever pivotallymounted independently of said switch means and armature for yieldablyholding the latter in its extreme end positions against the tension ofsaid spring mounted movable contacts.

MAURICE A. RUDD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

Number UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Gassett Feb. 12, 1884 Hovey Sept.7, 1909 Levison Sept. 14, 1915 Guild June 21, 1921 Leddick Oct. 27, 1925Hartwig Jan. 3, 1928 McNeil June 12, 1934 Peters Mar. 8, 1938

